Re-Activation

[tigert422]

I hope this is permissible and I'm on the right thread since this is general. I have and own my own version of winxp, but because I had altered my hard ware on my computer I( I've changed the cd drive to dvd drive , I've changed the sound card to a better card, I've installed a slave harddrive, to give me more room ) because of the change and I've installed a dvb card in this computer , Well a message came up on my computer informing me that because of all the change I now have to re-active my computer or it will be shut down . How is this possible when it is my computer to do as I wish. So HOW DO I GET THRU THIS I REALLLY NEED YOUR HELP BIG TIME. i AM PRESENTLY USING MY OLDER COMPUTER TO GET ON LINE AND SUBMIT THIS HELP . WINXP HAD MADE MY GRAPHIC SO THAT I CAN NOT SEE ON THE MONITOR. I HAVE LOST ALL OF MY PROGRAMS . WINXP HAS JACKED ME UP BIG TIME. PLEASE ADVISE IF YOU CAN HELP THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!

[bols2dawaLL]

it says you must activate your computer ? never heard of this . can't even think why it would come up .

[Satan]

If your running XP..you may have to re-register it with the network that your using ..As they may not reconize it any more ..This is a built in safty responce for XP...hence you couldn't buy XP install it on your PC register it ....and give it to freind .....

[vmod32]

I've been using bootleg XP SP2, everything works, even updates, never heard of that.

[Mysis]

Same thing happened to me with XP Pro when I installed SP2. Warning that I must activate within 30 days. Still waiting for software from one of those companies that sell cheap. Received one but disc is bad and product key would not work. E-mailed them and they are sending another one. Hope it gets here quick because I only have 3 more days to activate or I will not be able to use my computer any longer.

[leet83]

If you own it, call microsoft activation hotline....they will activate anything. I have only heard of this happening when you change your motherboard or processor.....

[r_hill]

I hope this is permissible and I'm on the right thread since this is general. I have and own my own version of winxp, but because I had altered my hard ware on my computer I( I've changed the cd drive to dvd drive , I've changed the sound card to a better card, I've installed a slave harddrive, to give me more room ) because of the change and I've installed a dvb card in this computer , Well a message came up on my computer informing me that because of all the change I now have to re-active my computer or it will be shut down . How is this possible when it is my computer to do as I wish. So HOW DO I GET THRU THIS I REALLLY NEED YOUR HELP BIG TIME. i AM PRESENTLY USING MY OLDER COMPUTER TO GET ON LINE AND SUBMIT THIS HELP . WINXP HAD MADE MY GRAPHIC SO THAT I CAN NOT SEE ON THE MONITOR. I HAVE LOST ALL OF MY PROGRAMS . WINXP HAS JACKED ME UP BIG TIME. PLEASE ADVISE IF YOU CAN HELP THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!

Yeah, there's a two-step procedure for installing XP properly. First, you use one key to install the OS, then you need another key to "activate" it, i.e. allow it to use Windows update, install service packs, etc.

I have the keygen for XP Pro.....shoot me a PM and I will email it to a valid email address for ya. It's quite easy....but really, Microshaft should've been more responsive to their customers than this.

Later....

[bud02]

The two step procedure is OK if you are using a corp version and just need to get your updates. All microsoft products require you to activate unless thay are corp (XP Home, XP Pro and XP Office 2002). If you install corp version XP Pro Corp you wont get nag and locked out of OS but you need to change install key to get updates. Changing key wont activate, I have a lot of info on the subject including instructions on how to change a standerd version to a corp version. There is also info on how to beat the activation but I found they are not as good a solution as installing the XP Pro Corp and changeing the install key so you can get your updates. PM me with info on what you have (your original install) and Ill help you get your files back. Or you could use winternals or Bartpe to get your files back and reinstall

[Trixter80]

do a search on google "edit winlogon.exe" there are instructions on how to use a hex editor to edit winlogon.exe to get rid of activation. back it up after the edit is made cause when you install service packs it will bring the nag back up, just replace winlogon.exe with the one you edited.

[r_hill]

Well, I use XPProKeyChanger.exe to generate a list of keys and launch the "activiation" screen as the next step. Essentially, it allows you to add the key as if you were on the phone with Microshaft and they were giving you the new key in that fashion, i.e. not using online registration. Verified working with XP Pro installation.....

Just my $0.02....

[tigert422]

The two step procedure is OK if you are using a corp version and just need to get your updates. All microsoft products require you to activate unless thay are corp (XP Home, XP Pro and XP Office 2002). If you install corp version XP Pro Corp you wont get nag and locked out of OS but you need to change install key to get updates. Changing key wont activate, I have a lot of info on the subject including instructions on how to change a standerd version to a corp version. There is also info on how to beat the activation but I found they are not as good a solution as installing the XP Pro Corp and changeing the install key so you can get your updates. PM me with info on what you have (your original install) and Ill help you get your files back. Or you could use winternals or Bartpe to get your files back and reinstall
Hey Bud Thanks for your help with supplying me with the link that was able to help me out.m I appreciate your help . Have a Great Day!!

[smilingjack]

I know this is late but if anybody does not know this is another one of M$'s bright Ideas.

You can only have i copy of the XP-Pro running now because it has to be activated. And it will only activate 1 time before you have to screw around with M$ and tell them why you need another activation.

There is also a counter in the program that shuts the program down (or requires it to be re-activated) if you change 3 or 4 Major parts, hard drives, CD's & DVD's. add new PCI boards, More memory chips. It does not have to be the motherboard, a different motherboard by itself is sufficent reason by itself to require re-activation.

Better to edit the activation feature out of the program then you can install it as much as you want.

[smilingjack]

I know this is late but if anybody does not know this is another one of M$'s bright Ideas.

You can only have i copy of the XP-Pro running now because it has to be activated. And it will only activate 1 time before you have to screw around with M$ and tell them why you need another activation.

There is also a counter in the program that shuts the program down (or requires it to be re-activated) if you change 3 or 4 Major parts, hard drives, CD's & DVD's. add new PCI boards, More memory chips. It does not have to be the motherboard, a different motherboard by itself is sufficent reason by itself to require re-activation.

Better to edit the activation feature out of the program then you can install it as much as you want.

[smilingjack]

Well that is the way it is, it takes a 'picture' of the original OS install and when you make the max allowed number of changes it says it must be re-activated.
Of course if you did not have to activate it when you installed it, then that bit and byte has been removed and you do not have to worry.
Same problem with SP (x) there are two levels of password, I will get it running and will allow (Major) updates like SP's. the other(s) will let you get it installed and running but will not allow (Major) updates. If you installed SP1 & SP 2 with no problem you have the "right" password. (there are 5 to 20 for each serial #)

M$ has always allowed people, even those with "unauthorized" copies to get updates. They will even mail you a copy of SP 2 on a disk. (free)

Of course you must realize that they 'Read' your computer and KNOW all about you, your OS, Config, Isp, Ip etc. and whether you are legal or not. They just don't do anything about it (yet).................

But neither did Dave. Until recently when he started suing people that had bought a loader 5 years ago.

[tigert422]

That would suck for a lot of us, including myself. I have a downloaded copy of XP Pro that I have on 2 computers of my own, three friends have it on thiers, and who knows how many others have downloaded it. But, I still haven't had any problems with updates.
Thanks to all who helped me to get my computer back up and running. I have installed winxp on my old computer which is an AMD build by a wholesaler, which doesn't care if you do change your hardware . On my new computer the Dexxxll it would not recognize my slave hard drive and the dvd burner that I put in and took out their cd burner . It told me that my hard drive was an unknown device and it disabled it , along with my DVD Burner . The memory chip in the unit was looking for it's hard drive . I know this sounds crazy but I'm just stating the facts as I've experienced it. Any how I've installed my new hardware winxp on my Old computer and just left the new Dexxll sitting for the present because I had to prove a point to myself that the same items that was classified as a unknown devise was able to be put in my Old computer and it was recognized without problems and I was able to install without problems after giving advise and instructions from one of our own on this forum. YOU GUYS ARE GREAT AND THANKS FOR THE HELP!! BUD02 YOU ARE THE MAN AND I SALUTE YOU SIR!!